Sunday, April 27, 2014

How to Own Older Work

http://superstitionreview.asu.edu/blog/2014/04/27/guest-post-jen-knox-placeholder/I haven't posted much in the way of new stories or essays lately, but this week I have two to share. the first is a blog I wrote for Superstition Review (a journal that offered a home to one of my first truly completed stories). It's about how to look at our work as artists retrospectively. Here it is: Burning My First Words.

Also this weekend, I had a short story come out with Midway Journal. This one is entitled Two Flew Away, and it's about bullying.

I hope you enjoy them both. I've been battling a sinus infection that has been on and off again since 4/12, so I've been kind of quiet lately, but I'm finally beginning to feel better. Better for real, better for good. I'll be back at this blogging thing full force next weekend. For now, saline flush (ew, I know).

Have a beautiful and creative week!

Jen

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thrush (Poetry!) Anthology

This book is so beautiful and filled with poetry that is alive, emotional and real. I have a short, short, short poem in here. It's over 500 pages. I feel rarely write poetry, and to be a part of this project is thrilling.

Check it out:

Friday, April 18, 2014

Time

“It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.” 
― Gabriel Garcí­a MárquezOne Hundred Years of Solitude
(1927-2014)


There is nothing more precious than time. When someone influential passes, I am reminded of this. We can't waste our time because it moves faster than we feel.

I often take inventory of my time. I  long for more, cherish what I have. And one of the most vibrant ways I can imagine spending my time is writing, creating worlds in which I can explore truths too strong to be heard without story. Marquez utilized his time in this way, transforming worlds and adding magic to the pain of existence. He made a mark, and now he is all magic. May he rest in peace. 


Timing is always interesting in my life and rarely ideal. It's bartered, and often traded for money and debt relief. It is either priority or sacrifice, when it comes to my love: writing. I recently took on a new job, and though I haven't been able to fully transition yet, no more than a week after accepting the offer, I got the notice that I was accepted to a writing residency that would have been much easier to accept if I were to have stayed in my previous position. 

I'm going to borrow someone's optimism here and think it will work out. All I can do is ask. Whatever happens, I am determined to honor my time, to treat it with more respect.

In writing news, I had a re-publication recently, in Workers Write! More Tales from the Cubicle, which is available on Kindle. I have stories forthcoming from Midway Journal and Metazen, and that is all I have on the roster for now. In other words, I have to write! Here's to it! 

Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your Easter and celebrate your lives. 

Jen  

 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

In with the new

It has been too long since I've posted. And, everything has changed. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but a lot has changed. After working a lot of overtime for a few weeks, during which I had a book release and reading at San Antonio College and company and a few other engagements, I am again settling into a routine. I am a routine-driven person, and I believe it is within routines that I find my discipline, so this is a great relief.

So what has changed? A few things.

My book is out and in my hands (if you'd like to order a copy from me, let me know... if you'd like an eVersion, they're less than $3 on Amazon). Monkey Puzzle Press was fantastic to work with, so if you're considering submitting a manuscript to them, do! Not sure it's selling, but I think it is... we'll see.

I was offered and accepted a new position as a Best Practices Research Analyst with Frost & Sullivan (my current company). I will be researching the information, communication, and technology (ICT) industry, so I think it will be interesting as this is an ever-evolving space. This is an cool opportunity, and I look forward to the challenge because there will be a definite learning curve. Hard work pays off.

For writers, challenges in life are where we find the emotion, the catalyst to create, so my hope is that this new position will feed my writing, not distract from it. I am confident this will be the case.

I have had two (amazing) publishers show interest in my work. One has my short story collection and the other has my novel. We'll see what happens. I have learned not to count on anything just working out, so I can say I'm cautiously optimistic.

As for today, I plan to work a bit on my newest story and a new novel. I spent the morning at urgent care, due to a cold that hasn't gone away for almost two weeks. Urgent cares are a trip! My doctor introduced himself as June bug and after doing a few tests, diagnosed me with a sinus infection. I'm not big on antibiotics or any unnecessary meds, but I've been miserable (inevitable after all that concentrated work, entertaining, and little sleep). I'm on some steroids, so hopefully I don't turn into that guy ->

Life is constant flux. Thank goodness. I hope you have a beautiful week ahead, and if you have a Kindle, I hope you check out my five stories (if you do, please let me know what you think).

xo Jen

Chapbook release

"As our children walked in circles, their children shook their heads and made their way toward another life; new ghosts remained. And w...